‘Hero’ Principal Takes Bullet While Tackling School Shooter, Stopping Mass Casualty Event

An Oklahoma high school principal was hailed as a hero after taking a bullet while tackling an armed former student inside the school, a move authorities say likely prevented a far worse tragedy.

Pauls Valley High School Principal Kirk Moore was shot in the leg Tuesday afternoon as he and other staff members rushed to stop a gunman later identified as 20-year-old Victor Hawkins, according to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.

“The principal of the school had noticed that an adult male subject, 20 years old, had stepped foot into the school with a gun,” OSBI spokesperson Hunter McKee told KOCO-TV. “When the principal noticed this, he quickly stepped in, as well as other staff. The subject was able to fire multiple rounds, where the principal was hurt, but no one else was.”

Moore was airlifted to a hospital and was listed in stable condition, authorities said.

“The actions of the staff and the principal stepping in as soon as they saw a subject with a firearm saved lives today,” McKee told the outlet.

🚨 OKLAHOMA HERO! Principal Kirk Moore TACKLED a would-be mass shooter at Pauls Valley High School, took a bullet to the leg but DROPPED the gunman cold.

Expected to be OK. Saved lives like a boss! Hero! pic.twitter.com/TS2Tt4x6mp

— Gunther Eagleman™ (@GuntherEagleman) April 9, 2026

The shooting was reported around 2:21 p.m., investigators said. The campus was locked down while officers cleared the building and secured the scene. Students were later reunited with their families.

Authorities said Moore and other staff members managed to subdue Hawkins until police arrived and took him into custody.

“I know the word gets thrown around quite a bit, but he is a hero today,” Pauls Valley Superintendent Brett Knight told reporters at the scene.

Gov. Kevin Stitt also praised Moore’s response, calling it a courageous act that protected students.

“Sarah and I are praying for his quick recovery,” Stitt said. “I’m thankful for the swift response from law enforcement and school staff, and I’m grateful no students were harmed.”

Investigators have not publicly identified a motive. Hawkins was booked into the Garvin County Jail, officials said.

Court records show Hawkins was charged Wednesday with one count each of shooting with intent to kill and carrying a weapon to a public assembly, along with two counts of feloniously pointing a firearm. Bond was set at $1 million.

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